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Sep 3 9:00 PM

Meet legalized recreational marijuana's cast of characters

by Lori Jane Gliha @ljgliha
Harborside Health Center, a medical marijuana dispensary in Oakland, Calif., serves an average of 800 patients a day.
America Tonight

DENVER | Two states -- Washington and Colorado -- have passed laws paving the way for the legal sale and purchase of recreational marijuana for adults. 

Although the drug is still illegal in the eyes of the federal government, many people are anticipating a major economic boom when Colorado's recreational sales begin in January. 

Recently, the Obama administration announced federal authorities would not target states that have enacted such laws if they are able to maintain strong regulatory and enforcement procedures that prevent the distribution of marijuana to minors and stop criminal enterprises and drug cartels from benefiting from the sales.

We traveled to Colorado to see how entrepreneurs, pot users and politicians are gearing up for the new changes. Meet some of the folks in our story and the roles they play:

Andy Betts is the general manager of the Denver Relief Dispensary. After being diagnosed with leukemia and a seizure disorder, Betts became a medical marijuana user himself.
Andy Betts is the general manager of the Denver Relief Dispensary. After being diagnosed with leukemia and a seizure disorder, Betts became a medical marijuana user himself. America Tonight
As Colorado gears up for recreational pot sales, many medical marijuana dispensaries are preparing to make the transition to retail sales. "We’re still waiting for all the rules to be announced," Betts says. "But it looks like we will choose to go one of two ways. Offering ... medical use for 18- to 20-year-olds, as well as social use for 21 and up. Or 21 and up only for social use. We're now looking at which will be the best for us."
As Colorado gears up for recreational pot sales, many medical marijuana dispensaries are preparing to make the transition to retail sales. "We’re still waiting for all the rules to be announced," Betts says. "But it looks like we will choose to go one of two ways. Offering ... medical use for 18- to 20-year-olds, as well as social use for 21 and up. Or 21 and up only for social use. We're now looking at which will be the best for us."
Andy Joseph is a Navy veteran and a father of five who lives in Johnstown, Ohio. He is president of the Apeks Fabrication company and the Apeks Supercritical division that manufactures machines to extract oils from plants. Joseph once had anti-marijuana feelings, but that changed after his invention, a Subcritical/Supercritical CO2 extraction system, gained popularity in the medical marijuana industry.
Andy Joseph is a Navy veteran and a father of five who lives in Johnstown, Ohio. He is president of the Apeks Fabrication company and the Apeks Supercritical division that manufactures machines to extract oils from plants. Joseph once had anti-marijuana feelings, but that changed after his invention, a Subcritical/Supercritical CO2 extraction system, gained popularity in the medical marijuana industry.
Tripp Keber runs Dixie Elixirs, a Denver company that specializes in marijuana-infused foods for medicinal purposes. He launched the company three years ago, with one product, a soda infused with medicinal marijuana. Now, his company represents approximately 85 products."This is a company that is growing exponentially. We're adding (up to) two employees each and every month," he said.
Tripp Keber runs Dixie Elixirs, a Denver company that specializes in marijuana-infused foods for medicinal purposes. He launched the company three years ago, with one product, a soda infused with medicinal marijuana. Now, his company represents approximately 85 products."This is a company that is growing exponentially. We're adding (up to) two employees each and every month," he said.
Steve DeAngelo is one of the biggest names in the marijuana legalization movement. Cofounder of Harborside Health Center, president of The ArcView Group cannabis investors' network and former star of the Discovery Channel's "Weed Wars," DeAngelo has been advocating marijuana legalization for decades.
Steve DeAngelo is one of the biggest names in the marijuana legalization movement. Cofounder of Harborside Health Center, president of The ArcView Group cannabis investors' network and former star of the Discovery Channel's "Weed Wars," DeAngelo has been advocating marijuana legalization for decades.
"I think that the Obama administration is engaged in an internal debate," DeAngelo said. "I think that there are strong forces that are pushing for reform, and I think that there are strong forces that are opposing reform. Where that power struggle is going to end up, I don’t think we know yet."
"I think that the Obama administration is engaged in an internal debate," DeAngelo said. "I think that there are strong forces that are pushing for reform, and I think that there are strong forces that are opposing reform. Where that power struggle is going to end up, I don’t think we know yet."
Daria Serna is a spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Revenue's Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division, the state agency charged with regulating the production, sales and distribution of marijuana.
Daria Serna is a spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Revenue's Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division, the state agency charged with regulating the production, sales and distribution of marijuana.
Brian Seifried is mayor of Garden City, Colo., a town of a few hundred residents that is less than a square mile in size. The town allowed alcohol after Prohibition while the neighboring city of Greeley remained dry for several decades. Now, history is repeating itself.
Brian Seifried is mayor of Garden City, Colo., a town of a few hundred residents that is less than a square mile in size. The town allowed alcohol after Prohibition while the neighboring city of Greeley remained dry for several decades. Now, history is repeating itself. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
Jake Becker lives in Denver, Colo., where he recently worked as a machinist. He told us he plans to take a job as an assistant at a medical marijuana dispensary. Becker claims he has been getting high every day for the past 10 years. At one time he had a medical marijuana card, but now he relies on other means for getting the drugs.
Jake Becker lives in Denver, Colo., where he recently worked as a machinist. He told us he plans to take a job as an assistant at a medical marijuana dispensary. Becker claims he has been getting high every day for the past 10 years. At one time he had a medical marijuana card, but now he relies on other means for getting the drugs.
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Places
California, Colorado
Topics
Drugs, Marijuana

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